Wildcats Break Into Win Column Against Villanova

2/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 22, 2015

Box Score


	Northwestern 7, Villanova 5 Sullivan Field • San Antonio, Texas \| Box Score

SAN ANTONIO -- Northwestern picked up its first victory of the 2015 season Sunday, beating Villanova 7-5 on the final day of the Irish Alamo Invitational in San Antonio.

Sophomore Joe Schindler made his first start of the season for the Wildcats and he threw five innings to secure the victory. The Eugene, Ore., native scattered five hits and allowed three runs while striking out five and walking only one. Junior Jake Stolley surrendered only one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings to notch his first save.

Northwestern jumped out in front of Villanova with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning Sunday. Zach Jones drew a two-out walk and he scored from first when right fielder Reid Hunter muscled a double to left-center field. Hunter ended up on third base because of a throwing error and he eventually scored when Joe Hoscheit singled through the left side to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

The 'Cats struck for another multi-run inning against VU's Max Beerman in the top of the third. Scott Heelan led off the frame with a two-bagger and Jones quickly knocked him in with a double of his own to left field. Jones scored his second run of the day soon after on a passed ball.

With Schindler pitching effectively on the mound, the Wildcats continued the run parade in the fourth inning. Heelan drove in his first run of the day with two outs in the fourth. JR Reimer, who singled earlier in the stanza, scored when Heelan reached safely.

Hoscheit helped NU scratch out yet another tally in the top of the fifth. The sophomore clubbed a triple, his team's first of the season, to center field with one away. Pinch hitter Walker Moses was called up to pinch hit and he delivered a sacrifice fly that scored Hoscheit and gave Northwestern a 6-0 lead after four and a half frames.

Villanova picked up its first run in the fifth inning, but strung together four in the sixth to cut what once had been a six-run deficit to a lone run after six.

The Wildcats picked up a crucial insurance run in the top of the eighth. Walker Moses doubled to start the inning and Reimer reached on an error to follow that allowed the former to score. Jake Schieber was on third base later in the inning he drew a walk as pinch hitter, stole second and advance to third on a wild pitch. Ruchim lined out sharply to second base to end the threat, however.

Stolley stranded two aboard in the bottom of the eighth before working a perfect ninth to pick up the save.

Heelan, Jones, Hunter and Hoscheit - Northwestern's 2-3-4-5 hitters - each picked up two hits in the tournament finale, while scoring five of the team's seven runs.

The 'Cats will travel to Hammond, La., next weekend to face Southeastern Louisiana in a three-game set beginning Friday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.

••••••

Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter and sign up to receive promotional text alerts for the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!